The evening started on such a high.
Joe was two and a half, and Maddie had just turned one. They were oblivious to the reason for our travel, but they sure were excited about our stop for dinner.
We had just completed the purchase of what would become the focal point of family recreation for the next 20 years — waverunners (the best family recreational purchase we ever made). We left the notary with our new boats in tow and excitement in our hearts.
We had an hour’s ride home, it was early evening, and the kids were hungry.
“You guys wanna stop for some dinner?”
“Yayyyyy!!!”
Why not? We were still abuzz with the high from the big purchase. Nothing puts parents in the mood to indulge their kids like exciting times. And these were definitely exciting times.
Luckily we spotted the oasis just a few minutes down the road — The Old Country Buffet. Barely edible food but ideal for the parents of small, hungry, and soon-to-be cranky children. Plus, and equally important for a novice boat-trailer puller like myself, the parking lot had plenty of open and navigable space.
No waiting. A plethora of bullshit, kid-craving, highly-processed food sludge to choose from. Easy in. Easy out.
This is our place.
We sit down, order the drinks, and within two minutes, we’re taking turns ferrying the kids up to the buffet. Chicken nuggets? Yup. Fries? Of course. Oh, now, ice cream? Sure. In between trips, we’re throwing down whatever it was we considered edible by adults.
We’re just about done, and Chris says, “I’m going up for some desert.” No problem, we’re doing good here. I’ve got this.
And then a sequence of events took place that a “Three’s Company” writer couldn’t have dreamed up.
